"What's on your mind? Still that?"

"It's all right if you're thinking so hard about it, Elly and I can think of something. I just wanted to make sure we weren't getting you something you didn't want, you know?"

"...yeah, that's a lot of different things. Well we don't have family traditions like Colte or Marie or Crestana...yeah, Elliot was right about that one too. I guess that leaves Alis's idea. It's not bad; I don't mind it."

"Yeah, of course. I don't know how much leave Elliot has accrued, but he can always spare the weekend. Maybe we go somewhere together as the three of us, and you and I stay behind for a few more days? How about that?"

"Well, that's up to you too. Elliot and I usually flip-flop between mountains or coast until we...mountains? You're sure? It's summer, good weather for the beach."

"Yeah, I guess so. You didn't like it last year? Oh, I see. Guess it's hard to decide without trying both. All right. Mountains."

"Oh! Do you have any interest in castles? Yeah, those. I know, I know, but if you go west they have castles like you've never, ever seen."

"They're so big. Huge things that have seen dozens of battles. A lot of them are well-preserved too."

"Yeah, and all the villages have stayed the same for hundreds of years. They hold battle re-enactments every few months."

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"Yeah, yeah, yeah! They're part of these medieval festivals. Less and less about killing Spirits the further west you go, but I digress. They sell medieval food and clothes and armour and weapons...you want a sword?"

"And armour too?"

"Why? I'm asking because I don't like the grin on your face."

"Crestana isn't going to spar you if you're using a sharp sword. You're using fencing gear like I told you, right?"

"I guess...just the helmet? Yeah, I'm sure they sell it separately, but...neck down in fencing gear...okay?"

"No, no, no. It's your birthday, suit yourself. Just make sure the sword is a good one, all right?"

"Like, good quality. Make sure it's pretty too, like those ones with swirly handguards."

"A sabre? Those are too modern. I mean, I'm sure you can find nice ones, but Crestana does longsword fencing, right? Yeah, well...you do use knives against her, poor girl."

"Don't decide now. The type of sword'll depend on where we end up going."

"Yeah, but wherever we go might have something unique to the region. Mhm, makes for better memorabilia too."

"Let's wait for Elliot to come home. He'll have some opinions of his own. But...you sure?"

"I mean, it's a lot considering what happened recently. No no, it's completely fine, I just don't want to tire you out."

"...yeah. Yeah, I understand. Feels good even for a week, I know."

"No, I don't think so...but, but...if you end up feeling guilty about it, then that'll waste the whole holiday. Do you think you can enjoy it if we go on one?"

"Not sure? I think that's still all right. You'll have something to look forward to every day, all right? I won't let you relax a single second."

"Because you looked like you were having so much fun finding a gift idea. You finally got your mind off things, didn't you?"

"Mhm. Let's keep that up. You're thirteen now, my little teenager."